PLAYER PROFILE: Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State

Photo Credit: Reese Strickland (USA Today Sports)

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After showing improvement from his freshman to sophomore season at Iowa State, Hakeem Butler exploded as a junior with six 100-yard games, including a career-high 192 yards in Iowa State’s bowl game against Washington State. Butler is one of the big bodies in this receiver class but still demonstrated good speed at the combine. If he can solve the case of the drops that plagued him last year, he could be a special player that defenses will have to account for outside and in the slot.

Was raised with his cousins, former Kentucky basketball stars Aaron and Andrew Harrison, after his mother died of cancer.

Size

6-5, 227 pounds

Combine notables

40-yard dash: 4.48 seconds
Bench: 18 reps
Vertical: 36 inches
Broad jump: 128 inches (6th at position)

What the analysts say

“Big long-strider with exceptional length and good build-up speed to challenge cover corners and safeties down the field. Butler’s unique play strength after the catch allows him to win contested deep balls and then plow through tackle attempts to create chunk plays and long touchdowns. His routes are basic and clunky and will limit how teams can use him. A greater concern will be those inconsistent hands that could turn quarterbacks against him unless he improves them.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“Among the most productive receivers in college football last season, Butler was able to dominate the Big 12 with his size, explosiveness and physicality. Butler plays to his size and will present matchup problems at the next level. Butler does have some limitations in terms of agility that limit his route running and ability to beat press coverage, but his most notable concern is inconsistent with his hands. With that said, Butler offers and intriguing toolbox with considerable upside to develop into a productive X receiver at the next level.” – Joe Marino, The Draft Network

What PFF says

-8th in yards per route run
-5th in passer rating on deep passes
-2nd in passer rating out of slot
-157th in drop rate (16.7 percent)

Chart via Pro Football Focus Draft Guide

CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE
ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE

TOP 40 PLAYERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEEDS & TARGETS
POSITIONAL TOP 5 RANKINGS & VIDEO BREAKDOWNS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
INMAN: NFC NORTH WORST CASE DRAFT SCENARIOS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL (PODCASTS, VIDEOS, ARTICLES)
INMAN’S MOCK DRAFT COLLECTION

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